EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended   September 30,						Nine months ended   September 30,
($ in thousands)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	4,213		$	3,783		$	12,639		$	11,351
Interest cost	2,681			2,798			8,044			8,393
Expected return on plan assets	(6,013		)	(5,192		)	(18,039		)	(15,574		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	135			911			403			2,732
Amortization of prior service cost	—			5			—			15
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	1,016		$	2,305		$	3,047		$	6,917
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	369		$	341		$	1,105		$	1,022
Interest cost	521			570			1,563			1,710
Expected return on plan assets	(1,204		)	(1,077		)	(3,611		)	(3,233		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	234			342			701			1,028
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,783		)	(2,788		)	(8,347		)	(8,365		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,863	)	$	(2,612	)	$	(8,589	)	$	(7,838	)